Delray Rejects Site For Lifeguard Center

DELRAY BEACH - — The price to convert a two-story beach house into the city's lifeguard headquarters and a marine education center was too high for city commissioners on Tuesday.

The commission rejected 3-2 an offer by developer Frank McKinney to sell the 1936 house on Ocean Boulevard to the city for $625,000. Mayor Tom Lynch and Commissioner Jay Alperin dissented.

The city estimated it would cost an additional $274,000 to renovate and expand the Dutch-style home to house 15 lifeguards and add a marine education center. The city's original plans to build a new headquarters would cost $220,000.

While it would be nice to preserve the Sandoway House and use the property as a bridge between Sandoway and Ingraham parks, the city could find better uses for its money, the majority of commissioners said.

"We must look to the future and see what makes Delray a better place," Commissioner Barbara Smith said.

That viewpoint is too shortsighted, Lynch argued. Opportunities like this don't often come along, he said.

"Giving this up is something long term we're going to regret," he said.

One key question boiled down to how the city could finance the purchase of the property. City Manager David Harden outlined some options and their drawbacks, including state and federal grants, using beach restoration dollars, and water and sewer connection fees. He actually recommended using a three-year financing scheme and using money from a projected $1 million surplus in the city budget.

McKinney said he will now negotiate with two prospective buyers he put on hold while the city considered his offer. He would not make much of a profit selling it to the city, he said, and the city never tried to negotiate for the property.

Nearly 20 people spoke in favor of or against the offer, the proponents arguing to preserve a slice of old Delray Beach, the opponents questioning the price and others the priority.

"The question is not can we buy, but should we buy," said Jean Beer. "We have $10 million in unfunded capital needs. I do not believe we need this as a lifeguard station."

Proponents, including two high school students, pointed out the value of preserving the house and also of establishing a marine education center.

"This is a unique opportunity for the city," Sandra Almy said.

Even a visitor from Missoula, Mont., suggested that the commission approve the offer to allow a public hearing.

"It doesn't cost anything to proceed to a public hearing," said Chuck Stearns, a self-described city government junkie who serves as finance administrator and city clerk in Missoula. All the city's alternatives for the lifeguard headquarters have some kind of problem, Harden told the commission. Ingraham Park is too narrow. Neighbors oppose using Sandoway Park. Anchor Park belongs to the county.